Linden High School evacuated, classes canceled after staffers become sick

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LINDEN, N.J. — Students at a New Jersey high school were evacuated then dismissed for the day after several workers fell ill, officials at Linden High School said.

The cafeteria workers reported feeling sick Thursday morning while in their work area, school officials said. Fire department crews and a hazmat team responded and recommended all students and staff be evacuated.

They were taken to from the main school building to the athletic field then, shortly before 11 a.m., the remainder of classes were canceled.

An investigation found that the workers may have been exposed to pepper spray, but if that was the case, the substance has since dissipated and is not detectable, school officials said.